Following the foundation of the IAA in 1990, it was decided to choose a new symbol for the organization. The old logo, which was used until then, was designed by Dr Zeev Yeivin, then director of the Department of Excavations and Surveys. It depicted a ceramic oil lamp adorned with a relief of a menorah. Oil lamps of this type were widespread in the Jewish settlements of the Byzantine period.

The new logo for the IAA was chosen by a committee appointed by Amir Drori. Amongst its members were Ruth Peled, Ronny Reich and Izika Gaon (Head of the Design Department of the Israel Museum). A contest was proposed between some of the leading designers in the country. At the end, the work of designer Asher Oron was chosen. The symbol, designed by Oron, depicts a menorah, of the type prominent on the stone reliefs in the ancient synagogues, flanked by two circles, also a common feature on those reliefs. Today, in light of the research of menorah designs from ancient synagogues, it is clear that the two circles chosen by Oron, symbolize the ends of the Torah scrolls, which were set in a special ark within the synagogue.

The type-font used for the name of the organization, “Israel Antiquities Authority”, was especially designed by Oron as an integral part of the logo (it is not the well-known type-font “Oron”).